Course Catalogue

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The course aims to give students an understanding of effective and realistic current thinking and decision-making to minimise risks to historical materials in heritage collections and environments, with a focus on books, paper, and textiles. It will provide the opportunity to evaluate, select and implement appropriate basic preventive measures for artefacts in storage, on display or on loan. The course uses objects, published texts, case studies, practical implementation and a site visit for taught and practical sessions.  

Lecture: 1x1hr over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

Seminar: 1x1 seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

Project Supervision: 1 x 1hr session 

Workshop: 2 x 90 minute sessions 

Standard entry to Masters at College level

None

None

Written Assignment (4000 words) - 80%

Group Presentation (15 mins, individually assessed) - 20%

This course aims to:

■ Introduce the student to the concept of preventive conservation and the relationship of objects to both their physical and social environments.

■ Introduce the student to agents and processes of the physical, biological and chemical deterioration of books, paper and textiles.

■ Introduce the student to the emerging concept of sustainable heritage and its implications.

■ Enable the student to evaluate a range of approaches to the management of the museum environment, including environmental monitoring and control methods such as integrated pest management systems.

■ Provide the student with practical experience of environmental monitoring over a period of time and of assessing the results.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain and apply the concepts of preventive conservation and sustainable heritage for effective conservation practice.

■ Identify, select and evaluate options, approaches and resources to plan and implement effective preventive conservation measures.

■ Critically evaluate risk management options for collections care and emergency planning.

■ Assess preservation issues for the storage and display of textile artefacts.

■ Effectively utilise monitoring equipment to measure environmental conditions and assess insect pests in storage and display areas.

■ Communicate effectively with a range of specialist and general audiences and using appropriate terminology, both orally, visually, and in writing.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.